The Vow

Aaron paused, glancing over his shoulder at the tremble in her words.
He slowed to a stop, his face one of anguish.
"Look....Dont be sorry...I...Im not mad at you Ivy..." He lifted a hand to brush her hair behind her ear. "Im just...Im just not feeling well alright? Imma take you home...and ill be back in a bit okay?" His voice was gently though strained as he spoke. He offered her his arm, before he continued his walk, though now at a slower place.

She clung to his arm hesitantly.
"Where are you going to go?" She asked quietly.

"Uh," He really was not sure..."I gotta go see a man about a dog..." it was stupid, but his dad always told him that when it was none of his business.

Ivory stood on her tip toes to press a kiss to his cheek.
She didn't know what to say to make it better.
"I'm really sorry..." She repeated.

"Me too..."
He was sorry he wasnt as desirable as Dustin...
"Ill be back." He nodded once they reached home, he watched her with a perplexed gaze, waiting for her to go inside.

Ivory gave him a light hug before entering the house. She wandered around until she found Quincy on the couch in the living room. She sat beside him, placing her head in his lap. He was the only one she was truly comfortable with.

Quincy had more or less forgotten about her memory loss, this was normal to him.
He ran his fingers through her hair, his eyes never leaving the t.v. screen.
Aaron turned on his heel and wondered off to his mothers house.
He had made a choice.
He needed to talk to someone, and he knew who he probably should ask, but it would be weird.
He knocked on the door, the weight of the world seemingly weighing down on him.

Alex answered after a moment, nodding at the boy.
"hey kid... you want your mom?" He arched an eyebrow, being civil as he normally was to the boy nowadays.

"Uh...No actually.". Aaron in that moment seemed so timid..
He was lost.
"Id like to talk to you sir..."

Alex looked confused and a bit hesitant but he slowly nodded.
"Yeah... sure. Come in." He led Aaron inside, closing the door and walking over to sit on the couch. "What did you want?" He wasn't used to having actual conversations with the boy...

"Well," Aaron began slowly, his thoughts muddled and hazed, his heart constricting painfully as he tried to gain control of his thoughts. "I took Ivory to Dustin's, and...Well...She doesnt remember me....So I cant be mad...But she was so...She was DROOLING over Dustin and I dont know what to do about it. She used to look at me like that, but since the accident she just doesnt seem to be all that interested in me. I just....Im asking you, because I know you treat my mother really good, and I know you would never hurt him either for anything...But what would you do? What could you do if he didnt remember you, but was all out dazzled by someone like Dustin?"
He was at his wits end.

Alex smiled softly at the boy, nodding his head. Honestly, it reminded him a bit of when he'd been trying to keep Mike's attention on him instead of Dustin, back when they were alive. He wondered if Aaron knew that story and that was why he'd chosen to come to Alex, of all people.
"Alright kid. Looks like all you have to do is get her attention back. It'll be easy, trust me." He nodded. "You know her better than anyone. You know what she likes. So here's what you do. Set up a room in your house, a hotel, wherever you want. Hell, you can even use this place if you want, I'll help. Make her dinner, her favorite food. Set up things, whatever she likes. Like... her favorite flower, just tiny things. I know you remember those little things about her, you're like me." Alex gave a friendly smile. This was the kindest he'd ever been with Aaron. It was also the longest they'd ever talked. "And if you feel like you don't have enough, dig around your room enough, or that hotel room she stayed in, I'm sure you'll find a diary somewhere. Normally, I'd say reading your lover's diary isn't a good idea, but in these circumstances, I think it's fine." He winked and appeared thoughtful for a moment. "Now, if you let your uncle Dustin know about this, I'm sure he'd help you out a bit, be a little less friendly next time he sees her, somethin' like that. And you can't be worried that he's better looking then you. Your mom is my husband, he's gorgeous and you've gotta know what everyone says about your dad. You're both of them put together. You're certainly not lacking in the looks department. If you're worried about Dustin being better looking than you though, just walk around Ivory without a shirt for a while, that should fix it." Alex chuckled at the boy. "And if that doesn't work, just come back over here and we'll talk." He patted Aaron's shoulder.

Aaron couldnt help but smile brightly at Alex, his confidence high.
"I....Thank you.."
He wasnt so sure what to say, honestly this was a moment he wanted to savor. Since he was small he craved acceptance from Alex. He looked up to him like he did his iwn father in a way, it was nice to talk to him as if they were...
Friends?

"You're welcome, kid." Alex nodded. This was different for him but Aaron didn't even bother him anymore. He'd just grown so used to despising him... He was more confident now in Mike's love for him. And he considered Quincy a friend. They'd had Aaron so many years ago, it wasn't an issue anymore. Aaron could be part of the family. "And.. I want you to feel welcome over here, alright? Come on over any time."

Aaron's smile grew even wider.
"Yeah...i appreciate it Mr.Riley."
His father made sure he had manners.

"Call me Alex, bud." He smiled. "Good luck with her."

Aaron gave a quick nod, smile firm.
"Alright, thanks again!"
And with that, he was gone, hoping everything would work out.

Ivory had been waiting at the house, just sitting with Quincy, occasionally getting up and glancing out the window for Aaron to return. When he did, she stood and approached him at the door, smiling hesitantly.

Aaron was not at all hesitant about wrapping her in his arms and squeezing her tight to his firm chest.
"Hey, sorry I took so long.". he spoke into her hair warmly.

"It's fine. Are you alright?" She asked slowly, not sure if he was still angry although she was pretty sure it was okay since he was hugging her. She smiled softly as she hugged him back.

"Im fine, just had a little headache for a while is all." Aaron assured her, raking his fingers through her hair slowly. "I think, that im going to cook something for you." He was excited to do things for her, he was always happy to just please Ivy...
It made him feel like an accomplished man, as long as she was happy.

"Yeah?" She smiled lightly. "Sounds... nice." She nodded, grinning at him. He was very sweet, it was hard not to love him.

Aaron nodded to himself.
"Imma have to make a run to the store most likely though." He wondered what he should cook. She had never been very picky.

"Alright. I can come with, or wait here. Whatever." She shrugged. She hadn't minded waiting for him too much. It was quiet but comforting with Quincy here.

"You can stay here." Aaron spoke gently, his wheel turning as he considered asking a brother to come along with him to the store. He really wasnt sure though....